After seeming to fall behind in the race for alternative-fuel vehicles, Chrysler said on Tuesday that it would produce an electric car for sale in 2010 and follow it up with a broad lineup of battery-powered vehicles.

Chrysler, the smallest of Detroit’s three automakers, showed off three electric models, including a minivan, a sport utility vehicle and a two-seat sports car.

“Chrysler’s electric car bombshell is an attempt to prove to the public and the media that the company is indeed working on future vehicles and that it still has life left in it,” said Aaron Bragman of the research firm Global Insight.

By promising an electric model in showrooms by 2010, Chrysler is competing head-on with General Motors and Nissan Motor of Japan to be the first to market in the United States. Last week, G.M. showed off the production version of its Chevrolet Volt, a four-door sedan powered by a lithium-ion battery pack augmented by a small gasoline engine for recharging.

At a press conference, Chrysler unveiled electric versions of its Town and Country minivan and Jeep Wrangler S.U.V.

Both models are so-called range-extended vehicles like the Volt, meaning they can travel 40 miles on battery power alone and up to 400 more miles with the assistance of a small gas engine.

The third model, the Dodge EV, is a rear-wheel-drive sports car with a body built by the European automaker Lotus. The car, which is powered solely by a lithium-ion battery pack, is said to have a driving range of more than 150 miles and can accelerate to 60 miles an hour in less than five seconds.

Chrysler executives declined to disclose the price of the first model, where it will be built or how soon consumers can expect a full line of electric vehicles. But the electric program, they said, was accelerated by the decision to adapt existing products to the new technology.